Apparatus and method for improving basketball defensive team skills

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for improving basketball defensive player skills includes a plurality of belts, wherein each belt is to be worn by each of five players. Each belt comprises a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end. The apparatus includes a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord being connectable between each of the connecting links on the belt worn by each player and one of the connecting links on each of two adjacent players. When connected, the elastic cords and belts form a single perimeter closed pattern.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/103,284 filed on Jul. 28, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to the field of sports training equipment. More specifically, the disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for practicing and improving defensive player skilled in basketball.

Basketball game play includes defending players moving to certain positions on the basketball court in order to oppose ball movement and repositioning of offensive players. In this context, “offensive” and “defensive” players, respectively, are on the team in possession of the game ball to move it toward and shoot at the opposing team's goal. Practice sessions may include simulating ball and player movements of the offensive team, and inducing defensive players to respond quickly and appropriately to such movements to obstruct the movements as far as possible.

A particular skill to be enhanced by repetitive drill is to cause all defensive players to move to suitable positions on the court as quickly as possible, as closely as possible at the same time and to the extent possible in direct response to movement of the ball.

There is a need for training equipment to enhance players' ability to carry out defensive moves.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is an apparatus for improving basketball defensive player skills. An apparatus according to this aspect of the disclosure includes a plurality of belts, wherein each belt is to be worn by each of five players. Each belt comprises a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end. The apparatus includes a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord being connectable between each of the linking rings on the belt worn by each player and one of the connecting links on each of two adjacent players. When connected, the elastic cords and the belts form a single perimeter closed pattern.

In some embodiments, the connecting links are movable along the band when connected by the plurality of elastic cords.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords each comprises an elastomer core disposed within a woven fiber exterior jacket.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords each comprises a spring-loaded bark closed clasp at each longitudinal end.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords are in a fully stretched length range of 16 to 18 feet.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords have a spring rate of 18 pounds force at 95 percent of full stretch.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords have a relaxed length of five feet.

In some embodiments, a number of the plurality of belts is five and a number of the plurality of elastic cords is five.

A method for practicing basketball player movement according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes having each of a plurality of players wear a respective one of plurality of belts. Each belt comprises a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end. Each of a plurality of elastic cords is connected between each of the connecting links on the belt worn by each player and one of the linking rings on each of two adjacent players, wherein when connected, the elastic cords form a single perimeter closed pattern. At least one of the players moves his position or changes orientation in response to an opposing team action. The move or change of the at least one player causes a corresponding tug on the belt worn by the other of the plurality of players.

In some embodiments, the linking rings are movable along the band when connected by the plurality of elastic cords.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords each comprises an elastomer core disposed within a woven fiber exterior jacket.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords each comprises a spring-loaded bark closed clasp at each longitudinal end.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords are in a fully stretched length range of 16 to 18 feet.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords have a spring rate of 18 pounds force at 95 percent of full stretch.

In some embodiments, the elastic cords have a relaxed length of five feet.

In some embodiments, a number of the plurality of belts is five and a number of the plurality of elastic cords is five.

In some embodiments, the players are defensive players.

Other aspects and possible advantages will be apparent from the description and claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows five players on a basketball court, wherein the players are connected by an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a set of an example embodiment of player belts in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A shows part of one of the player belts of FIG. 2 to illustrate a feature for retaining linking rings on a band.

FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of elastic cord used in the example embodiment of FIG. 1 to connect the players as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of an example embodiment of a connector used in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example apparatus for defensive basketball player training is shown in FIG. 1. The training apparatus 10 may comprise an adjustable waist-worn belt 12 that each of five players 11 may attach to his person. Possible embodiments of the belt 12 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. The belt 12 worn by each player 11 may be connected to the belts 12 on each of two adjacent players 11 by an elastic cord 14. As intended to be used in defensive player training and practice, the elastic cords 14 may be connected to the belts 12 of adjacent players 11 such that the connected belts 12 and elastic cords form a single perimeter closed pattern as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment of the belts 12. Each belt 12 may comprise a band, such as a woven fiber band 12C, made from, for example, NYLON® fiber or RAYON® fiber, although the fiber used in any embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Each belt 12 may comprise an adjustable fastener at or proximate one longitudinal end of the band 12C so that the belt 12 may be adjusted to fit on the waist of a large range of different waist circumference players. In the present example embodiment, the adjustable fastener may comprise two adjustment rings 12D, 12E, through which may be looped the opposed longitudinal end of the respective band 12C to cause a friction fit. Such features provide that the belt 12 may fit a large range of different size players (11 in FIG. 1). Other adjustable fasteners may be used in other embodiments, e.g., hook and loop fabric fasteners. The adjustment rings 12D, 12E may be secured to the band 12C, for example, by passing the longitudinal end of the band 12C opposed to the free end 12F through the adjustment rings 12D, 12E and attaching the free end to the band 12C such as by sewing or fusing, depending on the type of material used for the band 12C. A player (11 in FIG. 1) may secure the belt 12 in the present embodiment to his waist by passing the free end 12F through the adjustment rings 12D, 12E as is done for similar adjustable belt structures.

The band 12C may have disposed thereon connecting links, for example, a pair of linking rings 12B. The linking rings 12B may be free to move longitudinally along the band 12C. The linking rings 12B may be simply slipped over the band 12C prior to a player (11 in FIG. 1) attaching the belt 12 to his waist. The linking rings 12B provide a movable attachment point for each of the two elastic cords (14 in FIG. 1) used to connect each player (11 in FIG. 1) to two adjacent players as shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the linking rings 12 are movable along the belt 12. Some embodiments may have a linking ring retainer sewn into or otherwise attached to the band 12C to prevent the linking rings 12B from being removed from the band 12C. FIG. 2A shows an example embodiment of such a linking ring retainer at 12G.

FIG. 3 shows an example embodiment of the elastic cords 14. The elastic cords 14 may comprise a cord body 14A including an elastomer inner core (not shown separately) and a woven fiber exterior jacket (not shown separately). A fully relaxed length for the elastic cords 14 may be about 5 feet, and a fully stretched length of the elastic cords 14 may be in a range of 16 to 18 feet. The elastic cords 14 may have a spring rate, i.e., the force required to stretch to 95% of the fully stretched length of 18 pounds force (lbf). The relaxed length, spring rate and fully stretched lengths are particularly suited for basketball skills training to provide sufficient minimum spacing between players (11 in FIG. 1) to enable the players to move to correct locations on the court for defensive play, and at the same time ensure that each player is provided a suitable force tug on his belt (12 in FIG. 2) to enforce team discipline when offensive players move the game ball.

A clasp 14B may be affixed to each longitudinal end of the cord body 14A to enable the elastic cord 14 to be removably attached to the linking rings (12B in FIG. 2) on the belts (12 in FIG. 1) worn by two adjacent player (11 in FIG. 1).

A more detailed view of one of the clasps 14B is shown in FIG. 4. The clasp 14 may comprise a hook 14B-2 or similar partially open loop form and a spring loaded bar 14B-3. The bar 14B-3 and the hook 14B-2 may both terminate in a connector end 14B-1, wherein the bar 14B-3 may be depressed as shown in FIG. 3 to enable the hook 14B-2 to pass through one of the linking rings (12B in FIG. 2) to attach and detach the clasp 14B from the linking ring (12B in FIG. 2) as needed.

Using the apparatus as explained above may comprise during a practice session, each of a team's players putting on a respective belt (12 in FIG. 1) and connecting the respective belt to the belts of two adjacent players using elastic cords (14 in FIG. 1) as explained with and as shown in FIG. 1 in a single perimeter, closed pattern.

In general, using the apparatus as described is intended to reinforce the movement of all defensive players to suitable respective positions on the court at the same based on actions taken by any or all of the offensive players. Some example defensive player actions and how the apparatus may help in player training are set forth below. Suitable positions of the defensive players on the court may be defined by coaches or may be experienced-based. Thus when one player moves his position on the court or changes his orientation in response to an opposing team action, the players' movement or change in orientation causes a corresponding tug on the belt worn by each of the other players.

When a simulated offensive team player initiates passing the game ball, the defensive player who is responsible for moving toward the passing offensive player (“called closing out the ball”) will begin his assigned movement (called “moving on the pass”). Movement of that defensive player will result in the remaining four defensive players receiving a noticeable tug on their respective belts (12 in FIG. 1). Such tug is a signal to the remaining four defensive players to move on the pass to their assigned positions on the court, to the extent such movement has not already started.

The apparatus may also be used to assist in practicing weak side defensive positioning. The example embodiment length of the elastic cord set forth above, 16 to 18 feet, is intended to assist practice skills for help defense or weak side defense.

In light of the principles and example embodiments described and illustrated herein, it will be recognized that the example embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. The foregoing discussion has focused on specific embodiments, but other configurations are also contemplated. In particular, even though expressions such as in “an embodiment,” or the like are used herein, these phrases are meant to generally reference embodiment possibilities, and are not intended to limit the disclosure to particular embodiment configurations. As used herein, these terms may reference the same or different embodiments that are combinable into other embodiments. As a rule, any embodiment referenced herein is freely combinable with any one or more of the other embodiments referenced herein, and any number of features of different embodiments are combinable with one another, unless indicated otherwise. Although only a few examples have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible within the scope of the described examples. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for improving basketball defensive player skills, comprising: a plurality of belts, each belt to be worn by each of a plurality of players, each belt comprising a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end; and a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord connectable between one of the connecting links on the belt worn by each player and one of the connecting links on each of two adjacent players to each player, wherein when connected, the elastic cords and belts form a single perimeter closed pattern.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connecting links are movable along the band when connected by the plurality of elastic cords.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic cords each comprises an elastomer core disposed within a woven fiber exterior jacket.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic cords each comprises a spring-loaded bark closed clasp at each longitudinal end.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic cords are in a fully stretched length range of 16 to 18 feet.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic cords have a relaxed length of five feet.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic cords have a spring rate of 18 pounds force at 95 percent of full stretch.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a number of the plurality of belts and a number of the elastic cords is five.
 9. A method for practicing basketball player movement, comprising: having each of a plurality of players wear a respective one of plurality of belts, each belt comprising a band, an adjustable fastener proximate one longitudinal end of the band, and connecting links disposed on the band between the one longitudinal end and another longitudinal end, and a plurality of elastic cords, each elastic cord connected between each of the connecting links on the one of the plurality of belts worn by each player and one of the linking rings on the belt worn by each of two adjacent players, wherein when connected, the elastic cords and the belts form a single perimeter closed pattern; and causing at least one of the players to move his position or change orientation in response to an opposing team action, wherein the move or change of the at least one player causes a corresponding tug on the belt worn by the other of the plurality of players.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the players are defensive players.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the connecting links are movable along the band when connected by the plurality of elastic cords.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the elastic cords each comprises an elastomer core disposed within a woven fiber exterior jacket.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the elastic cords each comprises a spring-loaded bark closed clasp at each longitudinal end.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the elastic cords are in a fully stretched length range of 16 to 18 feet.
 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the elastic cords have a relaxed length of five feet.
 16. The method of claim 9 wherein the elastic cords have a spring rate of 18 pounds force at 95 percent of full stretch.
 17. The method of claim 9 wherein a number of the plurality of players is five. 